This was a hit and miss. I pretty much adored the entire part about Parks & Recreation, and then rest was a confused blur for me because she was tThis was a hit and miss. I pretty much adored the entire part about Parks & Recreation, and then rest was a confused blur for me because she was talking about show business this and comedy that, and I just wasn't engaged with it. That's not to say it's a bad book, because it's great. I just had trouble connecting with a lot of parts....more

Easy and enjoyable to read, but I really wish it had focused a bit more on literature from other cultures. The only mention of non-white, non-WesterniEasy and enjoyable to read, but I really wish it had focused a bit more on literature from other cultures. The only mention of non-white, non-Westernised literature was on a short chapter about Magical Realism, then on a chapter that was pretty much "other stuff from around the world", which mentioned barely enough writers and works to warrant being called A Little History of literature. I mean, there is no mention of A Tale of Genji, which was pretty much the first novel ever written, 1006 years ago.So yeah, a little bit disappointed, but otherwise, it did make me want to read the british classics really badly....more

The blurb talked about how the c word used to be a powerful word for women, so I guessI wanted to like this. I really did.And it started out so great.

The blurb talked about how the c word used to be a powerful word for women, so I guess I assumed that the whole book would be analysing the evolution of such a powerful word into one of the worst curse word known. And, well, there's only one chapter on that. One tiny little 5 page chapter. The rest is a misandry-filled rant (I'm sorry, but that really is what it is).

Look, Inga and I just have super different views on what feminism means. For Inga, it means completely avoiding everything that males have created, even if it beneficial for women. Take the Pill for example. Inga is firmly against it because males created it and males market the product towards women (she goes by this logic for abortions and tampons/pads/ibuprofen as well) . She says it isn't empowering for women to take the Pill (and poison your uterus, apparently), but it's exactly the opposite: that by taking the Pill, you're relinquishing all your power, giving it to The Men.

I dunno, this is the kind of radical feminism I can't get behind. Sure, women haven't had a chance to rise up and make a name for themselves because of the systematic oppression of women, but that doesn't mean one must avoid everything literally man-made in order to fight that. But I guess I believe this because I see feminism as raising women's power to be equal to that of men, whereas it seems that Inga wants women to rule the world.

Honestly? I would hate to live in a matriarchy. Hate hate hate. Because it would make us no better than men and their patriarchy. My perfect world is one where women and men live together as equals.

It just... It pisses me off how much misandry is in this book. It is literally just full on misandry.

And I feel that this book is problematic. If a newbie at feminism picked this book up, looking to learn something about feminism, they would come away with the stereotype of the angry man-hating feminist in their mind. Feminists, even the tame ones like me, who simply want equality, already have a bad name and image. We're seen as angry women who hate men and want women to rule the world, and we're so angry, and we hate men a little bit more, and ARGH, MEN ARE SO YUCK. That's literally what happens in this book. I don't think I would recommend this book to someone new at feminism, someone who doesn't know what it's all about. Perhaps this would be more geared towards the more radical feminists.

Also, fun parts that made me rage super hard:- Inga doesn't believe in medicine or doctors. She believes that Doctors don't actually do anything, and the only way to heal anything is to will it. If you will it hard enough, anything can happen. (Apparently that's how she gave herself an abortion: by willing it to happen. No, it wasn't the herbal supplements that did it, never. It was willing it super hard.) TW: RAPE -Ditto with getting raped. If you're in a situation where you might be raped, just will yourself to beat up the rapist and not be raped, and it should work. You don't need self-defence classes, they don't really do anything if you don't have the will to not be raped. I guess this means that if you got raped, or died of some incurable illness (or even curable), then you mustn't have willed hard enough, so you must have wanted to be raped/die of illness. *sigh*- "The sole reason I am negatively disposed towards the use of barrier methods is that the industry that creates them is not run by women" With the exception of condoms, because men wear condoms. But, ARGHHH. She has the same negative view on hormonal birth control. - Her three suggested forms of birth control are: - Abstinence (but she claims this is unhealthy, so don't do this) - Masturbation (Um... as a form of birth control? Isn't that the same as abstinence?) - Becoming a lesbian. (I won't even touch on how offensive it is for her to say this. Um, not everyone has the pleasure to be a lesbian. Changing sexualities isn't quite as easy as that.)So yeah, her three forms of birth control are great stuff. If you're a heterosexual woman, you're shit outta luck.

I feel that this book is a must read for anyone who identifies as female, or knows someone who identiI am a feminist, and I'm not ashamed to admit it.

I feel that this book is a must read for anyone who identifies as female, or knows someone who identifies as female. It's a perfect beginner's guide to feminism.

Full Frontal Feminism is very informative, and is written in an informal way that makes it fun to read and understand. Valenti's voice is really strong and you can tell she's passionate about what she does.Most of the stuff in this book isn't new to me; I've come across a lot of the info in feminist blog. But for people who know nothing about feminism, I think this could be a real eye-opener. so I really recommend this book to those people.

One thing I really disliked, though, was that Valenti was a bit too opinionated in some aspects. Feminism, for me, is all about choice. But in the chapter about marriage, Valenti goes on a rant about women who change their last names and how that's not very feminist. While she's entitled to her own opinion, it feels very judgemental and scathing to read something like that. I'm sure there are many feminists out there who have married and taken their spouses name. I dunno, it just bothered me. She also ranted about how binge-drinking is "tres gross" and how girls should stop getting drunk if they want to avoid unwanted attention. Now, I'm sorry, but that reeks of victim blaming.

There was also a huge lack of transgendered issues, which, I guess for a beginner's guide I can understand, but for someone as informed as me, I found it a bit jarring, and plain offensive for any trans*folk. It's almost as if they don't exist.

I was also hoping for more of an explanation of race/sexuality/class, but, except for one very quick chapter and a few asides here and there, it was pretty much written for the white, hetro, middle-to-upper-class cis woman. And I dunno, I found that annoying.

Apart from those few issues, though, I found this to be quite informative, and an enjoyable read. Anyone who thinks that women get the short end of the stick (even those who don't think that) should read this book....more

I wish I could write an essay-length review on each of the essays in this book, but that would just be going overboard, and would probably bore you alI wish I could write an essay-length review on each of the essays in this book, but that would just be going overboard, and would probably bore you all to death. Instead, I’ll just keep this review short and sweet (which would seem to be a first for me…) and post a small summary on some of the essays that I found to be worth mentioning.

Now, before I start, I just have to add that I’m a massive fan of the show, True Blood. And I’m a fan of the book series (I’ve only read the first two, though. Whoops…). I love everything about it, how it’s a good trashy show that I can watch when I’m in a bad mood; and how you can watch it with an analytical eye and see the social commentary in terms of treatment of minorities (in particular, gays) in today’s society.

Some essays I loved most:

- Vampire Porn [Daniel M. Kimmel] discusses the grotesque opening title that we’ve all grown to know and love (or loathe), analysing different themes depicted in the 90 seconds, like racism, bigotry, sex, and the setting of the south. It’s given me a whole new insight to the opening title, and I no longer shy away from the graphic parts, instead, looking at them with awe and a critical eye.

- SOOKEH! Bee-iil! [Maria Lima] is the second essay, and addresses how Bill Compton went from hot to not. Totally hilarious, will keep you wanting more. I mean, even that title is hilarious.

And while I can’t remember the name of the essay, the last one is written by Ginjer Buchanan, the editor of the Southern Vampire Mysteries series, and talks about the differences between the show and the books, where each season spans for 12 hours, yet manages to perfectly reveal everything that happens in the books, all the while slowly taking on a new direction (for example, the inclusion of Tara as a main character in the show, whereas she was just a very minor character in book 2).

If you’re a fan of the series, or just really like seeing social commentaries and analyses of TV shows, then this book is for you. Topics range from Freudian theories to Marxist theories to the Southern setting. And while I don’t always agree with the essays, I find that it does give me a new perspective on the show.